UEFA appeals panel rejects Lille complaint

NYON, Switzerland, Mar 2 (Reuters) UEFA has thrown out an appeal by French club Lille against the controversial Champions League goal scored last month by Manchester United's Ryan Giggs.

UEFA's independent appeals body announced today that the goal and United's 1-0 win should stand before next week's second leg at Old Trafford.

In a statement released on UEFA's Web site the appeals body said it had ''supported the original decision that there was no proof of a technical error and validated the result in Lens.'' The decision echoed a similar verdict by UEFA's control and disciplinary body which last week ruled that Giggs's goal had been ''perfectly valid.'' Giggs fired in a late winner from a free kick taken while the French team were still preparing their defensive wall.

Lille were unable today, however, to convince the appeals body that the quickly taken kick had contravened the laws of the game.

Once Lille receive written notice of the grounds for Friday's decision they will have three days in which to launch an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

A ruling would then be unlikely before Wednesday's second leg.

UEFA's control and disciplinary body will hold a separate hearing on March 22 into the controversial scenes that followed Giggs's goal.

Several Lille players seemed close to walking off the pitch in protest, although the club have denied that was their intention.

The panel will also examine crowd problems during the match, including the throwing of objects by Lille supporters and a crush caused by apparent overcrowding in the United end.

French officials have said the problem was caused by some United supporters entering the stadium with forged tickets.

The match was staged at Racing Lens's Bollaert stadium because Lille's own ground does not meet UEFA standards.

Reuters PDS DB2107